Construction probably killed this once-beautiful white oak in the neighbor's front yard.Many municipalities (including Atlanta, Decatur, Brookhaven, and Sandy Springs) have a tree ordinance that governs situations in which construction is going to impact a tree on your property, or more than a certain percentage of the roots of a shared tree.
- Hire a Certified Arborist to document the tree’s health and value before construction begins.
- Make sure the rules regarding construction and trees are followed. Most municipalities require a "prescription," a series of measures the builder must take to protect the trees on the construction site and on adjacent sites. If the tree is on both properties, the rules often require your input or permission for construction before the project is even started.
- If your neighbor or their contractor is being uncooperative in any way, get help from your municipal arborist or the department that handles building permits.